New de-icing regulations won't affect Pittsburgh International

By Bill Utterback

Tuesday

Sep 29, 2009 at 12:01 AMSep 29, 2009 at 7:36 PM

FINDLAY TWP. — Pittsburgh International Airport will not be impacted by proposed Environmental Protection Agency regulations aimed at reducing environmental threats created by the runoff of aircraft de-icing chemicals.

The proposal would require airports to collect 20 percent of the runoff of de-icing chemicals, which could seep into nearby freshwater sources. Pittsburgh International collects 60 percent of its runoff, according to Allegheny County Airport Authority spokeswoman JoAnn Jenny.

The new regulations would require the national’s largest airports to install de-icing pads or other collection systems to trap the runoff of de-icing fluids. Pittsburgh International has used a de-icing pad since 2002, Jenny said.

The EPA estimates the new regulations would reduce runoff chemicals by 40 million pounds over the course of a year.

“These de-icing operations use large amounts of chemicals, which may drain off airport facilities to nearby rivers, lakes, streams and bays. Airport discharges from de-icing operations can have major impacts on water quality,” according to the EPA proposal.

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